Swim and Dive Recruiting

10 Questions to Ask a College Swimming and Diving Coach

By Kyle Haflich|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on March 23, 2022)

Picture this, you're on a phone call with a collegiate swimming and diving coach, and at the end, they ask “Do you have any questions for me?”

Of course, I am sure you have about a billion questions, but at that moment, you can't think of any. So, we've put together a list of 10 questions that will spark even more conversation.

1. What is team culture like?
While the coach is not technically on the team, it is important for them to understand how their athletes perceive them and each other. They can give you a good sense of whether there are a lot of team activities and if everyone gets along.

2. Can you get me in contact with one of your athletes?
Especially with the unpredicted shut-downs and cancellations, in-person visits have dwindled, and meeting a team has become more difficult. Even just texting or setting up a call with a current athlete on the team can help you get a feel for team culture and ask the questions you may not feel comfortable asking a coach.

3. What is your coaching philosophy?
Although it seems like a loaded question, coaches design their own coaching philosophy and live through it every single day. This can clear up some questions you may have about how practices are run and what they expect from their athletes.

5. How many athletes are you currently recruiting/How many are you looking to sign?
This question helps athletes that are interested in receiving scholarships. With seniors leaving the team, coaches often have a set number of athletes and scholarships that they are looking for in the next class. Additionally, this will give you an idea of what the coach is looking for in the recruiting class.

6. Is there any possibility of the team getting cut?
As seen in the news, swimming and diving teams have beend on the chopping block by college athletic departments. With bigger teams like University of Iowa and Michigan State University of the Big Ten Conference getting cut, it seems like no one is safe.

7. What is the team's average GPA and are there study hall hours?
Being on a team that matches your academic goals can be just as a team that meets your athletic goals. If a team has a low GPA, you must ask yourself, “Will I be challenged to do my best on this team academically?” Some teams have study hall hours that can range from 4-10 hours a week of mandatory monitored study hall. Ask yourself if this is something you want in a team.

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

8. Where do you see this program in the next 4 years?
As a coach, they should have a vision of where they want their program to be during the time that you are there. That is a good time to see where they want the team to go and how they will get there. If the team is getting 2nd at their conference meet every year, what are the necessary steps to get to the next level? This question may also give you a hint as to whether the coach plans to stay with the team in the years to come.

9. What are offseason practices and responsibilities like?
As a swimmer or diver, there really is no off-season. If you're swimming for a successful team, no matter the division, odds are you'll be swimming every season. Whether it be for 8 hours a week or more, coaches should have a plan to keep you in shape for the next season and beyond.

10. How is this program going to set me up for life after college?
Since you're not going to be a collegiate swimmer forever, and the odds of swimming professionally are very slim, it is good to understand what you will get out of the university beyond swimming. Is there a strong alumni foundation? How are the things you learn outside of the pool going to set you up in life?

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